Collective learning in project-oriented organisations in infrastructure planning: Interaction for adaptation

Purpose – Collective learning across project teams and organisational levels enables project-oriented organisations in infrastructure planning to adapt to changing contexts. Literature identified programmes and communities of practice (CoPs) as hubs in the social network of project-oriented organisations that can facilitate collective learning. However, these hubs are studied separately so far. This paper aims to deliver insight in the conditions and arrangements for collective learning in project-oriented organisations in infrastructure planning and the role that programmes and CoPs as different types of hubs can play in interaction for adaptation.
Methods – This study was designed as a case study of a typical project-oriented public infrastructure administrator in The Netherlands: Rijkswaterstaat. We performed a cross-study analysis, conducted interviews with board members and directors, and organised focus groups with professionals from Rijkswaterstaat and other infrastructure administrators.
Findings – Programmes and CoP as hubs have different characteristics and facilitate interaction with a wider context differently. In general, interaction through these hubs can lead to the broadening of views and shared understanding about organisational adaptations and the accompanying decisions and actions within the organisation. However, the fragmented landscape of project-oriented organisations requires attention to conditions and arrangements regarding structure, social dynamics, and technology and functional domain to enhance coherence in learning and adaptation activities.
Originality/value – Our study provides new insights in the role of hubs and the conditions and arrangements for collective learning in the specific context of project-oriented organisations.